Combination computing device and game controller with flexible bridge section

ABSTRACT

A combination generally directed to a combination computing device and game controller. The computing device provides a plurality of sides, in which each of the sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The game controller provides a communication port interacting with the computing device, the communication port providing a communication link and a pair of confinement structures, the pair of confinement structures adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device, and an input device attached to and in electronic communication with the communication port. The input device is a separate and distinct structure from the communication port, forming no structural portion of the communication port.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/681,153 filed on Nov. 19, 2012, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/494,801filed on Jun. 12, 2012, which in turn claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/577,709 filed on Dec. 20,2011.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, a combination includes at least, but is notlimited to, a computing device, the computing device providing aplurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed betweenan electronic display screen of the computing device and a back of thecomputing device, a communication port interacting with the computingdevice, the communication port providing a communication link and a pairof confinement structures, the pair of confinement structures adjacentto and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides ofthe plurality of sides of the computing device, and an input deviceattached to and in electronic communication with the communication port,the input, device providing a pair of control modules, the pair ofcontrol modules providing input module apertures, each input moduleaperture secures an instructional input device, wherein said inputmodule apertures are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides ofthe plurality of sides of the computing device, and wherein the inputdevice is a separate and distinct structure from the communication port,forming no structural portion of the communication port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of anembodiment an electronic game control apparatus constructed and operatedin accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a back plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 displays a right side plan view, with partial cutaway, of theapparatus of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with various embodimentsdisclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a right side plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1constructed in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimedherein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of an inputdevice of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with various embodimentsdisclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 displays a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of acombination electronic game control and information input deviceconstructed and operated in accordance with various embodimentsdisclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 9 depicts a back plan view of the combination of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, ofan alternate embodiment of as combination electronic game control andinformation input device constructed and operated in accordance withvarious embodiments disclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of an input devicewith an integrated point of sale device, the input device is constructedin accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 12 displays a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of analternate embodiment of a combination electronic game control andinformation input device, the information input device provides theintegrated point of sale device.

FIG. 13 displays a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of analternative embodiment of a combination computing device and electronicgame control, the electronic game control includes a pair of controlmodules linked one to the other by a bridge member.

FIG. 14 shows a back plan view of the combination computing device andelectronic game control of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top perspective view of the alternative embodimentof the combination computing device and electronic game control of FIG.13.

FIG. 16 shows a back plan view of an alternative combination computingdevice with a communication port secured thereon, and an input deviceattached to the communication port.

FIG. 17 shows a top plan view of the communication port of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 shows a side view in elevation of the communication port of FIG.16.

FIG. 19 shows front and back views in elevation of a first selectedconfinement structure of the pair of confinement structures of thecommunication port of FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 shows front and hack views in elevation of a second selectedconfinement structure of the pair of confinement structures of thecommunication port of FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 shows a bottom plan view of a first control module adjacent to aselected confinement structure of the pair of confinement structures ofthe communication port of FIG. 16.

FIG. 22 shows a bottom plan view of a first control module secured to aselected confinement structure of the pair of confinement structures ofthe communication port of FIG. 16.

FIG. 23 shows a side views in elevation of a first control modulesecured to a selected confinement structure of the pair of confinementstructures of the communication port of FIG. 16.

FIG. 24 shows a view in perspective of a fastening mechanism of thecommunication port of FIG. 16.

FIG. 25 shows a back plan view of the combination computing device andelectronic game control of FIG. 16 revealing, in cutout, a data storagedevice and an auxiliary power source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a combination gamecontroller and information input device directed to controllingelectronic games and entry of information to a computing device, alsoreferred to herein as video games, computer and applications games. Theapparatus preferably includes a computing device, an electronic gamecommunicating with the computing device, and an input device forcontrolling movement of a virtual object provided by the electronicgame, and entry of information into the computing device in a preferredembodiment, the input device includes a pair of opposing side structuresadjacent opposing sides of plurality of sides of the computing device.The input device further preferably includes a plurality of inputswitches, wherein said input switches are adjacent each of the at leasttwo opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device,and a bridge structure disposed between the pair of sides to form athree sided structure. The third structure mitigates inadvertent removalof the computing device from the three sided structure when thecomputing device is fully nested within the three sided structure.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 provides an exemplary game controllerand information entry device (“G&D”) 100 capable of being used inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Theexemplary G&D 100 has at least a computing device 102 (also referred toherein as a computing device 102), which provides a plurality of sides,such as 104, 106, 108, and 126. Each of the plurality of sides 104, 106,and 108 are disposed between an electronic display screen 110, of thecomputing device 102, and a back 112 (shown by FIG. 2) of the computingdevice 102 operates. The G&D 100 further preferably includes an inputdevice 114. The computing device 102 may take the form of a tabletcomputer, smart phone, notebook computer, or other portable computingdevice.

In a preferred embodiment, the input device 114 provides a pair of sidestructures, 116 and 118, with a bridge structure 115 disposed therebetween. One of the pair of side structures, for example 116, isadjacent to and confines the computing device 102 on a first side, suchas 104 of the plurality of sides 104, 106, 108, and 126 of the computingdevice 102. The second side structure of the pair of side structures,such as 118, is adjacent to and confines the computing device 102 on asecond side, such as 108, of the plurality of sides 104, 106, 108, and126 of the computing device 102, wherein, the first and second sides,such as 104 and 108, of the plurality of sides 104, 106, 108, and 126 ofthe computing device 102 are opposing sides of the plurality asides 104,106, 108, and 126, of the computing device 102.

In a preferred embodiment, the input device 114 timber provides aplurality of removable game control modules 120 and 122, wherein theremovable game control modules 120 and 122 are adjacent each of the atleast two opposing sides 104 and 108, of the plurality of sides 104,106, 108, and 126, of the computing device 102, and a bridge structure124, disposed between the pair of side structures 116 and 118, andadjacent the third side 126, of the plurality of sides 104, 106, 108,and 126, of the computing device 102.

In a preferred embodiment, the removable game control modules 120 and122 may be removed from the input device 114, and replaced by removablekeyboard modules 164 and 166, of FIG. 8. To facilitate the exchange ofmodules, the input device preferably provides a pair of input moduleapertures 170. The removable keyboard modules collectively form a fullfunction keyboard and each provide an auxiliary electronic displayscreen (“ADS”) 168, each ADS 166 having at least the functionality ofthe electronic display screen 110.

In an alternate embodiment, shown by FIG. 10, the removable keyboardmodules 164 and 166 are a pair of touch responsive electronic displayscreens 172 and 174, each of the touch responsive electronic displayscreens having at least the functionality of the electronic displayscreen 110, include the functionality of a mouse pad portions 176 and178, and selectively presents keys of a keyboard 180 and 182 forinformation entry. Preferably, the keys are virtual keys that respond toa touch by a user.

Returning to FIG. 1, preferably, the bridge structure 124 in combinationwith the pair of side structures 116 and 118 form a three sidedstructure 128 (of FIG. 5) (also referred to herein as a u-shapedstructure 128 of the input device 114), in which the computing device102 nests, such that the computing device 102 is confined by theu-shaped structure 128, and the u-shaped structure 128 mitigatesinadvertent removal of the computing device 102 from the u-shapedstructure 128 when the computing device 102 is fully nested within thethree sided structure 128.

The G&D 100 of FIG. 1, further preferably includes a video game 130.Preferably, the video game 130 provides a virtual object 132 displayedby the electronic display screen 110, the virtual object 132 isresponsive to input from the input device 114. An example of a responseof the virtual object 132 would be movement of the virtual object 132,or the loading of an alternate computer game, based on a predeterminedsignal provided by the input device 114, or an appearance of acharacter. It is noted that FIG. 1 displays the housings of theplurality of switches, whereas at least some of the plurality ofswitches are shown in the partial cutaway of FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 depicts and reveals the back 112 of the computing device 102.Further shown by FIG. 2, is the input device 114, which provides a pairof trigger switches 136 and 138, supported by their corresponding sidestructures 116 and 118 respectively.

FIG. 3 shows that a predetermined number of the plurality of switches140, collaborate with each other to form an input apparatus 142, theinput apparatus 142 controls display of virtual objects displayed on theelectronic display screen 110 of the computing device 102. Preferably,the input apparatus 142 is a joystick 142. FIG. 3 further shows that theinput device 114 provides a plurality of buttons 144 and 119 of theremovable game control modules 120, which activate correspondingswitches 145 and 121. The main function of the trigger 138, the joystick142, and the buttons 144 and 119 of the removable game control modules120 is to govern the movement/actions of a playable body/object orotherwise influence events in a video game 130 (of FIG. 1) or analternate computer game.

FIG. 4 shows the G&D 100, further includes a second joystick 146, and asecond button 148, which are provided on the side structure 116,adjacent the trigger 136. While FIG. 5 shows the central processing unit(CPU) 150, of the input device 114.

FIG. 6 shows the input device 114 includes the CPU 150, interacting withthe plurality of switches 152, which preferably include at leastswitches 119 of the removable game control modules 120 (of FIG. 1),switches 117 of the removable game control modules 122 (of FIG. 1), 136,138, 142, 144, 146, and 148 (of FIGS. 2 and 3). FIG. 6 further shows theinput device 114 includes a communications protocol 154 providing thecommunication link between the computing device 102, and the inputdevice 114. In a preferred embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB)communications protocol is utilized. However, as those skilled in theart will recognize, the communications protocol 154 is not limited to aUSB protocol.

FIG. 6 further shows that the computing device 102 preferably includesat least a CPU 156, interacting with the electronic display screen 110,the video game 130, a device driver 158, which facilitates theinteraction between the computing device 102 and the input device 114,and a communications protocol 160 providing the communication linkbetween the computing device 102, and the input device 114. In apreferred embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communicationsprotocol is utilized. However, as those skilled in the art willrecognize, the communications protocol 160 is not limited to a USBprotocol.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an exemplary game controller162, in which the device driver 158 and the video game 130 are locatedin the input device 114.

FIG. 8 shows in a preferred embodiment, the G&D 100 includes a firstcamera 184, on a first side of the computing device 102, a second camera186, on the back side of the computing device 102 (shown in FIG. 9), athird camera 188 on a first side of the input device 114, and a fourthcamera 190 on the back side of the input device 114 (shown by FIG. 9).

In a preferred embodiment, each of the four cameras may selectivelyfunction independently, or may be used in conjunction with one another,and each of the four cameras 184, 186, 188, and 190 are fully functionalin capturing still and video images. Additionally, and preferably, thefirst and second cameras 184 and 186, are fully operative, even when thecomputing device 102 is detached from the input device 114, while thethird and fourth cameras 188 and 190 are fully functional, even when theinput device 114 is detached from the computing device 102.

In a preferred embodiment, when the computing device 102 is nested inthe input device 114, the first and second cameras, 184 and 186, areresponsive, either independently or simultaneously, to input from eitherthe computing device 102, or the input device 114, depending on whichdevice is selected for control of the first and second cameras, 184 and186. Further, in the preferred embodiment, each the computing device 102and the input device 114, are configured with a Bluetooth protocol stackcommunication feature, which permits the user to operate the first andsecond cameras, 184 and 186, of the computing device 102 with the inputdevice 114, even when the computing device 102 is detached from theinput device 114. Likewise, when the computing device 102 and the inputdevice 114 are configured with a Bluetooth protocol stack communicationfeature, the user may operate the third and fourth cameras, 188 and 190,of the input device 114, using the computing device 102. In other words,in the preferred embodiment, each of the four cameras 184, 186, 188, and190, may be selectively operated, individually or collectively, whetheror not the computing device 102 is nested within the input device 114.

FIG. 9 shows that in a preferred embodiment, the input device 114,includes part auxiliary power source 192, and an auxiliary data storagedevice 194, which preferably includes a cache portion 196. Preferably,the auxiliary power source a lithium ion battery, which provides powerto the input device 114 and the computing device 102, when the powersource of the computing device 102 is depilated; and the auxiliary datastorage device 194 is a solid state hard drive.

In the preferred embodiment, the cache 196 is sized to buffersynchronized input from each of the cameras 184, 186, 188, and 190, suchthat the auxiliary data storage device 194 may store and retrieveimages, still or video, for display seamlessly, including a simultaneousoutput of video images recorded by each of the cameras 184, 186, 188,and 190.

In a non-limiting exemplary application of utilizing the cameras 184,186, 188, and 190, the first camera 184 could be trained on aninformation presenter, while the second camera 186 is trained on aportion of an audience attending the presentation. The third camera 188,could be trained on a screen used by the presenter for presenting theirinformation to the audience, while the fourth camera is trained on analternate portion of the audience. By simultaneously replaying therecorded presentation, a response of the audience to the information,and sequence of information being presented, may be analyzed forfostering improvements to the presentation.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a video game controller 200,which provides an integrated transaction card input feature 202.Preferably, the integrated transaction card input feature 202, includesa transaction card slot 204, and a transaction card reader 206. In aspreferred embodiment, the transaction card reader 206, is a magneticstrip reader, but as those skilled in the art will recognize, thetransaction card reader can be, in the alternate: is an opticalcharacter recognition reader; a barcode reader; an object recognitionreader, or a pattern recognition reader.

FIG. 12 shows that in a preferred embodiment, a combination computingdevice and electronic game controller with an integrated point of saledevice 210 preferably includes as computing device 212, having aplurality of sides 214, each of the plurality of sides 214, are disposedbetween an electronic display screen 216, of the computing device and aback 218 of the computing device, and an input device 220, in electroniccommunication with the computing device 212. The input device 220preferably provides side structures 222, adjacent to and confining thecomputing device on at least two opposing sides of the plurality ofsides 214 of the computing device 212. The input device 220, furtherpreferably provides input module apertures 224, each input moduleaperture 224, selectively accepts either a game control module, such as102 and 122 of FIG. 1, or a removable keyboard module, such as 226 and228. Preferably, the input module apertures 224 are adjacent each of theat least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides 214 of thecomputing device 212.

FIG. 12 further shows that in a preferred embodiment, the combinationcomputing device and electronic game controller with an integrated pointof sale device 210 preferably includes a camera 230, communicating witheach the input device 220, and the computing device 212. The camera 230,selectively captures either still or video images and that the inputdevice 220, further provides an integrated transaction card inputfeature 232, which interacts with a transaction card 234, and thatpreferably, the input device is an electronic game controller 220.Preferably, the camera 230 is a first camera, having a lens facing theuser while the user is facing the electronic display screen 216, andincludes at least a second camera, such as 186 or 190 (of FIG. 9),having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera184.

FIG. 12 additionally shows an application 236, displayed on theelectronic display screen 216, of the computing device 212. Preferably,the application 236, displayed on the electronic display screen 216 ofthe computing device 212, is a point of sale transactional computerapplication, which interacts with the electronic game controller 220 andthe computing device 212.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of a combination computingdevice and electronic game control 240 (also referred to herein as adevice 240). The computing device 242, preferably provides a pluralityof sides 244, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between anelectronic display screen 246, of the computing device 242, and a back248 of the computing device 242.

Preferably, the electronic game controller 250 (also referred to hereinas input device 250), is in electronic communication with the computingdevice 242. Preferably, the input device 250, provides a pair of controlmodules 252. The pair of control modules 252, are adjacent to andconfining the computing device 242, on at least two opposing sides ofthe plurality of sides 244, of the computing device 242. The pair ofcontrol modules 252, preferably provide input module apertures 254, eachinput module aperture 254, secures an instructional input device 256.Preferably, the input module apertures 254, are adjacent each of the atleast two opposing sides of the plurality of sides 244, of the computingdevice 242.

FIG. 14 shows the back 248, of the computing device 242, and thecomputing device 242, partially positioned within the input device 250.FIG. 14 further shows a structural bridge 258, securing the pair ofcontrol modules 252, one to the other, and communicating with the back248, of the computing device 242, at a mid-region 260, of the back 248,of the computing device 242.

FIG. 14 further shows that the pair of control modules 252, provide aconfinement boss 262, and the confinement boss 262 provides a fasteningdetent 264. The fastening detent 264, interacts with a retention member266, to secure the structural bridge 258, to the pair of control modules252, in a preferred embodiment, the retention member 266, is responsiveto a catch 268, which preferably is a spring activated catch 268, andthe retention member 268 is preferably a spring loaded retention member268. Still further, FIG. 14, shows that in a preferred embodiment, thestructural bridge 258, provides a communication link 270, which passingsignals between the pair of control modules 252.

Continuing with FIG. 14, in a preferred embodiment, the communicationlink 270, provides a communication module 272, and in the alternative,provides a signal pathway 274, for use in passing signals between thepair of control modules 252. In a preferred embodiment, thecommunication module 272 is a wireless communication module 272, whichoperates in a frequency range of 2.4 GHz, in an alternate preferredembodiment, the wireless communication module 272 is a personal areanetwork. As those skilled in the art, a personal area network (PAN) is acomputer network used for communication among computerized devices,including telephones and personal digital assistants. PANs can be usedfor communication among the personal devices themselves (intrapersonalcommunication), or for connecting to a higher level network and theInternet (an uplink). A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a PANcarried over wireless network technologies such as IrDA, Bluetooth,Wireless USB, Z-Wave, ZigBee, or even Body Area Network. The reach of aWPAN varies from a few centimeters to a few meters. A PAN may also becarried over wired computer buses such as USB and Fire Wire.

In an embodiment that utilizes the signal pathway 274, as thecommunication link, the signal pathway 274 may be in the form of ametallic conductor, a fiber optic conductor, a conductive polymer, orthe conductive layer of a flex circuit. The skilled artisan will furtherappreciate that the structural bridge 258 (of FIG. 14), or 276 (of FIG.15) may be either formed from a ridged, material, such as a ridgedpolymer, or from a flexible material, such as a flexible polymer. In apreferred embodiment, when a flexible material is selected, and thesignal pathway 274 is a wired pathway, the signal pathway 274 may becoupled externally to the structural bridge 276, as shown by FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 further shows that in a preferred embodiment, the instructionalinput device 256, may be an electronic game control module 278 (whichmay be either removable, or fixed), or a keyboard module 280 (of FIG.13, which may be either removable, or fixed).

FIG. 16 shows a back plan view of an alternative combination 300, whichpreferably includes, but is not limited to, a computing device 302 thatprovides a plurality of sides 304, each of the plurality of sides aredisposed between an electronic display screen 306 (of FIG. 13) of thecomputing device and a back 308 of the computing device 302. Preferably,the alternative combination 300 further includes as communication port310, interacting with the computing device 302, in a preferredembodiment, the communication port 310 provides a communication link 312(which for purposes of illustration is shown as a wired connection 314,but will be understood to be a wireless connection in an alternativeembodiment). Preferably, the communication port 310, further provides apair of confinement structures 316, the pair of confinement structures316, which are preferably adjacent to and confining, the computingdevice 302 on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides 304of the computing device 302.

The alternative combination 300, further preferably includes an inputdevice 318 (also referred to herein as input device 114), attached toand in electronic communication with the communication port 310. Theinput device 318 providing a pair of control modules 252, the pair ofcontrol modules 252 providing input module apertures 224 (of FIG. 12),each input module aperture 224 secures an instructional input device 356(of FIG. 23), or such as 120 of FIG. 11, or 256 of FIG. 13. Preferably,the input module apertures 224, are adjacent each of the at least twoopposing sides of the plurality of sides 304, of the computing device302, and wherein the input device 356, or such as 120 of FIG. 11, or 256of FIG. 13, is a separate and distinct structure from the communicationport 310, forming no structural portion, of the communication port 310.

FIG. 16 further shows that in a preferred embodiment, the communicationport 310, further includes a fastening mechanism 320. In one embodiment,a soft draw latch, such as that provided by Southco of 210 N. BrintonLake Road Concordville, Pa. 19331, have been shown to be a usefulfastening mechanism 320.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of the communication port 310 that preferablyincludes a structural bridge 322, securing the pair of confinementstructures 316, one to the other. The structural bridge 322 ispreferably secured to a select confinement structure of the pair ofconfinement structures 316 by way of a solid connection 324, and toremaining confinement structure of the pair of confinement structures316 by way of a slip fit 326. The fastening mechanism 320, is preferablysecurely fastened to to a conduit 328, of the structural bridge 322, byway of a anchor member 330, the anchor member 330 is preferablypositioned in a location adjacent the slip fit 326, and by way of anattachment member 332 (shown in FIG. 18), securely attached to theremaining confinement, structure of the pair of confinement structures316. The attachment member 332, is preferably positioned in a locationadjacent the slip fit 326. Operation of the fastening mechanism 320,facilitates an expand and contract of the distance between the pair ofconfinement structures 316. The expansion and contraction of thedistance between the pair of confinement structures 316, facilitatesplacement of the computing device 302 between the pair of confinementstructures 316, the application of sufficient compressive load beingplaced on the computing device 302 to securely hold the computing devicebetween the pair of confinement structures 316, and an ability to removethe compressive load and allow removal of the computing device from thecommunication port 310.

FIG. 17 further shows that each of the pair of confinement structures316, provide a pair of controller docking pins 334, while FIG. 18 showsthat each of the pair of confinement structures 316 further provide acomputing device cradle 336, and that a select confinement, structure ofthe pair of confinement structures 316 provides a computing deviceinterface feature 338. The interface feature 338, facilitates at least,but not limited to, the provision of power to the computing device 302.

FIG. 19 shows a front view 340, of a first selected confinementstructure of the pair of confinement structures 316, which reveals aplurality of signal input lands 342 for use in receiving signals fromthe input device 318, of FIG. 16, and the pair of controller dockingpins 334.

Further shown by FIG. 19, is a back view 344 of the first selected,confinement structure of the pair of confinement structures 316, whichreveals computing device interface feature 338, the computing devicecradle 336, and the slip fit 326.

FIG. 20 shows a front view 346, of a second selected confinementstructure of the pair of confinement structures 316, which reveals aplurality of signal input lands 342 for use in receiving signals fromthe input device 318, of FIG. 16, and the pair of controller dockingpins 334.

Further shown by FIG. 20, is a back view 348 of the second selectedconfinement structure of the pair of confinement structures 316, whichreveals the computing device cradle 336, and the solid connection 324.

FIG. 21 reveals, for purposes of disclosure and for consistency of viewswith remaining disclosed figures of an embodiment, a bottom right handplan view of the input device 318 adjacent the second selectedconfinement structure of the pair of confinement structures 316, of thecommunication port 310. Preferably, the control module 252, provides anattachment structure 350, cooperating with the controller docking pins334, of the communication port 310. The attachment structure 350,secures the input device 318, to the communication port 310. In apreferred embodiment, the attachment structure 350, provides a slidinglocking toggle 352, and a fixed locking toggle 354. In the embodimentpresented, the sliding locking toggles, 352, interact with thecontroller docking pins 334, to securely (but removable) fasten theinput device 318 to the communication, port 310. In a preferredembodiment the sliding locking toggle 352, is selectively adjustablefrom an open position, shown in dashed lines, and a closed, or locked,position, as shown in solid lines.

FIG. 22 shows the input device 318, securely fastened to thecommunication port 310, by way of the attachment structure 350, whileFIG. 23 shows the right control module 252, of the input device 318,with its accompanying attachment structure 350 in a locked position, andthe special relationship of the control module 252, relative to theconfinement structure 316. FIG. 23 further shows an instructional inputdevice 356, such as 120 of FIG. 11, or 256 of FIG. 13, which in apreferred embodiment is a removable instructional input device 356.

FIG. 24 provides a more insightful presentation of a latch portion 358,of the fastening mechanism 320, relative to the attachment member 332,of the fastening mechanism 320.

FIG. 25 shows that in a preferred embodiment, the input device 318,includes an auxiliary power source 360, and an auxiliary data storagedevice 362, which preferably includes a cache portion 364.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andconfigurations of various embodiments of the present invention have beenset forth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of various embodiments of the invention, thisdetailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made indetail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of partswithin the principles of the present invention to the full extentindicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which theappended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements mayvary depending on the particular computing device without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination comprising: a computing device, thecomputing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the pluralityof sides are disposed between an electronic display screen of thecomputing device and a back of the computing device; a communicationport interacting with the computing device, the communication portproviding a communication link and a pair of confinement structures, thepair of confinement structures adjacent to and confining the computingdevice on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of thecomputing device; an input device attached to and in electroniccommunication with the communication port, the input device providing apair of control modules, the pair of control modules providing inputmodule apertures, each input module aperture secures an instructionalinput device, wherein said input module apertures are adjacent each ofthe at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of thecomputing device, and wherein the input device is a separate anddistinct structure from the communication port, forming no structuralportion of the communication port; and a structural bridge securing thepair of confinement structures one to the other, in which each of thepair of control modules provide an attachment structure cooperating withthe communication port, each attachment structure secures the inputdevice to the communication port, and in which the structural bridgecomprising: a conduit between the pair of control modules; and afastening mechanism cooperating with the pair of confinement structures,the fastening mechanism secures the pair of confinement structures oneto the other.
 2. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a datastorage device confined within the input device and communicating withthe computing device.
 3. The combination of claim 1, further comprisingan auxiliary power source confined within the input device andcommunicating with the computing device.
 4. The combination of claim 1,in which the instructional input device is a removable input device, andin which the removable input device passes signals through thecommunication port to the computing device, the signals controllingimages displayed on the display screen of the computing device.
 5. Thecombination of claim 1, in which the instructional input device is agame control module, and in which the game control module passes signalsthrough the communication port to the computing device, the signalscontrolling images displayed on the display screen of the computingdevice.
 6. The combination of claim 1, in which the instructional inputdevice is a keyboard module, and in which the keyboard module passessignals through the communication port to the computing device, thesignals controlling images displayed on the display screen of thecomputing device.
 7. The combination of claim 4, in which the removableinstructional input device is a removable game control module.
 8. Thecombination of claim 4, in which the removable instructional inputdevice is a removable keyboard module.
 9. The combination of claim 1, inwhich the structural bridge is a ridged structure.
 10. The combinationof claim 8, in which the rigid structural bridge is a removable rigidstructure.
 11. The combination of claim 1, in which the structuralbridge is a flexible structure.
 12. The combination of claim 10, inwhich the flexible structural bridge is a removable rigid structure. 13.The combination of claim 1, in which the communication link is a signalpathway.
 14. The combination of claim 12, in which the signal pathway isa metallic pathway.
 15. The combination of claim 12, in which the signalpathway is a fiber optic pathway.
 16. The combination of claim 1, inwhich the communication link provides a communication platform.
 17. Thecombination of claim 15, in which the communication platform is a wiredcommunication module.
 18. The combination of claim 15, in which thecommunication platform is a wireless communication platform.
 19. Thecombination of claim 17, in which the wireless communication platformoperates in a frequency range of 2.4 GHz.
 20. The combination of claim17, in which the wireless communication platform is a personal areanetwork.
 21. The combination of claim 17, in which the wirelesscommunication platform utilizes infrared technology for datatransactions.